Watercolours With Life: Wisteria 2015

Sunday, 3 May 2015

Wisteria 2015

Wisteria painted in my garden this afternoon

I am still very much suffering from jet lag and catching up from my trip to USA but the sun shining this afternoon and the sweet perfume from the wisteria blooming in my garden were far too tempting to ignore. I have loved sharing how I paint Wisteria on my workshops but today was time for me to paint quietly, and as I did so, I listened to the glorious birdsong forgetting completely the constant packing and unpacking of the past five weeks as we moved from hotel to hotel in each destination.

Being on tour is very tiring but it is so rewarding. I have had a terrific time but I am desperate to paint just for me at the moment. For my own personal satisfaction and growth as an artist.

I dread leaving my garden when I am on tour. Especially in Spring when so many glorious plants are blossoming which seem to set me up spiritually for the year ahead of me. I feel energised in a way that no other season can effect me. The minute the car pulled up on the drive of our cottage after such a long time away I was greeted with the sight of wisteria adorning our cottage facade. Hanging in beautiful candelabra formations. I see purple, violet and turquoise colour in each blossom.

As I painted at my easel this afternoon I observed the tiny buds still yet to flower on neat stems. Almost waiting their individual turns to shine. The sunlight was so bright that at times I could hardly see even though I was wearing a hat with a huge brim to offer me some comfort of shade.

I know tonight I will be dreaming of these stunning flowers and imagining how I will portray them in a series of paintings. Starting from tomorrow morning.

Isn't it wonderful to have something positive to constantly look forward to?

I will share more on my blog very soon!

Wisteria from our cottage garden

I see the lighter petals as sections where I will leave white paper or lighter areas.

I am a keen photographer so I am collecting resource photos which I can work from inside my studio on rainy days! But nothing beats painting outside from life.

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7 comments:

Sharilyn Miller said...: So glad to know that you are back home safe, Jean. Thank you for being so generous with your blog posts. I read your blog all the time and it's so refreshing and inspirational. I love your paintings, and pre-ordered your newest book weeks ago. I hope to meet you in person someday, ideally in a workshop here in the US! I just wanted to thank you for sharing your passion for art and nature with a wider world. I greatly appreciate it.; 3 May 2015 at 13:32
Diana said...: Gorgeous!! and I've preordered your book. I got the last one and it's great!! love,Diana; 3 May 2015 at 14:12
Leona said...: Hi I love reading your blogs they are always so inspirational and full of your love of what you do that it spreads to all of us followers, readers and lovers of this glorious medium. We can't help but be inspired EXCEPT here in Australia our seasons are opposite so we are heading into winter and don't have a lot of flowers about at the moment - I tend towards painting weeds at this time of year lol - enjoy your wonderful birds, bees and colour of spring; 4 May 2015 at 04:14
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hi there Shariyln, thank you so much for your reply here and thank you for liking my blog posts too! I will be on tour again in USA in
2016 as my USA 2015 workshops are fully booked. Hopefully we will meet and paint together then! Jean; 5 May 2015 at 10:43
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hi Diana, thank you so much. I am on pins waiting for the release of my new book. It was so exciting to write and now I need to let it go so everyone else can see it, this is a very exciting time waiting for its launch. I hope you enjoy it! Happy painting! Jean; 5 May 2015 at 10:45
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hello Leona, how lovely to see you! I love Australia, and I am sure weeds can be as beautiful as flowers in watercolour! I hope to return there one day! Best wishes and happy painting! Jean; 5 May 2015 at 10:46
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5 May 2015 at 10:46

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The Artist Magazine : Book Review

Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours

"The book is nothing less than a paean to the wet in wet technique. If that's your thing, prepare to be amazed. Jean Haines credits Jean Louis Morelle, and in many ways this book is the sequel to Morelle's remarkable, but very technical work, showing the wealth of creative possibilities the technique offers. A lot of the images are barely recognisable and yet you instinctively know what they are. I wish I knew how, because this is impressionism taken to its logical conclusion and reminiscent of some of the later work by JMW Turner. You will have to take it from me that "First signs of a face appearing magically from a first wash of watercolour" is pure alchemy. This is an extraordinary book."

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour:" Fastest Selling DVD!

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour" from Town House Films is the fastest selling DVD with the company to date! Record breaking pre-orders for this much awaited film saw requests for copies flooding in from all over the world. A wonderful introduction into working with watercolour minus the use of a preliminary sketch this DVD removes the fear, stress or pressure from worry about how to use watercolour. Instead the focus is on having fun, enjoying vibrant colour combinations and allowing the medium to create the subjects with just a little help from the artist. A really exciting new DVD to own. Whilst the DVD sold out in the first few months since its' release due to popularity it is now in stock and available directly from Town House Films.

http://www.townhousefilms.co.uk

How To Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" Jeans first book was launched at the Mall Galleries in 2010 at the SWA Society for Women Artists Annual Exhibition. Many copies have been sold world wide. It is available on Amazon.com, Search Press, SAA Society for All Artists and Ken Bromley.

"This book is a wonderful introduction into Jeans' way of working and gives an insight into her way of thinking and approach to a large variety of subjects. All painted minus the use of a preliminary sketch."